Cote Saint-Luc nursing home to close; 77 residents need housing

King David Nursing Home in Cote St-Luc has announced it will close, leaving 77 residents looking for new accommodation.

In a statement posted on its website, the private nursing home said it had suffered financially since the pandemic.

“The decision to suspend operations was not taken lightly. The unprecedented times following the COVID-19 pandemic have been difficult for private residences, and unfortunately, Le King David is no exception,” the statement said.

The building's owners declined a request for an interview Tuesday.

The decision to close it shocked residents and their caregivers.

“It's all of a sudden. It's all of a sudden everybody has to pick up and go. All of their kids, they're just scrambling,” said Elder's companion, Kimberly Mikulis.

CIUSSS said West-Central Montreal has been notified of the closure and that the regional health department will support any residents seeking new housing.

“At present, 77 residents of the institution have a file at CLSC René-Cassin, each of them is evaluated by a SAPA-SAD professional (support for independent living of the elderly – home support component),” the health department said in a statement.

CIUSSS said residents and their families can attend two information sessions and ask questions of senior care support professionals.

King David Nursing Home has been open since 1975 and its closure is part of a worrying trend.

Last week, a senior Quebec minister announced that 500 private nursing homes have closed in the past five years. The government is offering financial help to keep private nursing homes open, but that won't save King David.

Helen Osher teaches art to residents and is concerned that there are few places for seniors who keep kosher.

“Being older than my age, it's harder to get from one place to another. It's hard,” resident Judy Young said.

Some residents have already found a home, like Simon Acedo's 95-year-old mother. In the midst of wrapping up Tuesday, he told CTV News that there is a cost to the closure.

“At 95, he can't take it, to be honest, he's really stressed,” she said.

King David will stop working on September 30.